dysprosium Chem.
(dɪˈsprəʊzɪəm)
[mod.L., f. Gr. δυσπρόσιτος difficult of access; named by L. de Boisbaudran 1886, in Compt. Rend. CII. 1004, who showed that the ‘holmium oxide’ of de Cleve was a mixture containing compounds of holmium and of dysprosium (see holmia).]
A paramagnetic metallic element of the lanthanide series, present in yttria-rich minerals such as gadolinite and forming yellowish green salts in which it is trivalent. Symbol Dy; atomic number 66; atomic weight 162·5.
| 1886 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. L. 667 The earths which do not show the bands of holmium but give the bands of dysprosium are relatively rich in terbia. 1906 Nature 5 Apr. 551/2 The isolation and some atomic characters of dysprosium. 1962 New Scientist 27 Dec. 724 The RCA laser of the solid-state type (using dysprosium in calcium fluoride). 1966 Phillips & Williams Inorg. Chem. II. xix. 18 Dysprosium is strongly ferromagnetic below -168° C. and exhibits a remarkable magnetic anisotropy. 1967 New Scientist 20 July 158/3 Accurately machined pole-pieces, such as could be turned out of dysprosium or holmium, would ensure better symmetry than currently used iron-free magnet coils. |